Formulation and evaluation of stevia-sweetened ready-to-eat mixed fruit milkshake powder: proximal analysis, sensory, and microbial assessment

The growing demand for nutritious, sugar-free, and convenient food options has spurred innovation in product development, particularly for health-conscious consumers. Additionally, converting highly perishable fruits into ready-to-eat products offers an effective solution to reduce waste. This study focused on the development of a ready-toeat (RTE) mixed fruit milkshake powder sweetened with Stevia rebaudiana. The product aims to meet the need for sugar-free beverages, catering to health-conscious individuals and those with dietary restrictions. The milkshake powder formulation combined banana, date, dragon fruit, and custard apple powders, with stevia incorporated at levels of 3%, 6%, and 9%, alongside a control sample sweetened with 10% sugar for comparison. Proximate composition, sensory evaluation, and microbial analyses were conducted to assess the nutritional content, consumer acceptability, and safety of the product. The results indicated that the 9% stevia formulation was the most appealing to consumers, offering superior sensory attributes and meeting acceptable microbial standards. Proximate analysis revealed a balanced distribution of macronutrients, with carbohydrates at 69.54%, protein at 7.20%, and fats at 9.10%. This stevia-fortified, ready-to-eat milkshake powder is a novel, enjoyable, and shelf-stable beverage, offering a healthy alternative that could help address malnutrition and health issues related to excessive sugar consumption.